FEMA Approves Over $2.4B in Recovery Efforts Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton

The Biden-Harris Administration has approved more than US$1.3 billion in direct assistance to Hurricanes Helene and Milton survivors. These funds help survivors with housing repairs, personal property replacement, and other essential recovery efforts. Additionally, more than $1.1 billion has been approved for debris removal and emergency protective measures, which are necessary to save lives, protect public health, and prevent further damage to public and private property.

FEMA personnel remain on the ground in communities across the Southeast conducting damage assessments, coordinating with local officials, and helping individuals apply for disaster assistance programs. More than 1,400 FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance team members are in affected neighborhoods helping survivors apply for assistance and connecting them with additional state, local, federal, and voluntary agency resources.

Applying for assistance is a critical first step toward recovery. Disaster survivors in certain areas of Georgia, Florida (Helene), Florida (Milton), North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia can begin their recovery process by applying for federal assistance through FEMA. Federal assistance for individuals may include upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, and other emergency supplies.

Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance in finding a temporary place to stay. Applicants may be eligible for Transitional Sheltering Assistance, which provides survivors with a safe, temporary place to stay, like a hotel or motel, until they can find a short or longer-term housing solution. To date, more than 25,200 households have checked into FEMA provided hotels.

Individuals affected by the hurricanes are encouraged to apply as soon as they are able to by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, which is the fastest way to get an application started. Individuals can also apply using the FEMA App, calling 1-800-621-3362, or visiting a local Disaster Recovery Center.

Disaster Recovery Centers can provide survivors in-person help with their applications. FEMA now has 80 Disaster Recovery Centers open throughout the hurricane-affected communities. Center locations can be found at FEMA.gov/DRC. FEMA also has Disaster Survivor Assistance team members in the field supporting survivors and helping them with the application process.